Failiure to Indicate while being pulled over

[MR2-3SGTE]

Officer put his lights on, I turned around and made eye contact with him (I was on a motorcycle), and then turned right into the first side street that I came by. In addition to the ticket he originally planned to give me, he also cited me for failure to use turn signals because I didn't signal that I was turning onto the side street after he lit me up. Is this a dick move or am I over-reacting?
I figured it would be pretty obvious that I'd be pulling off to the right after being lit up, so I really don't see any safety hazard in not using the signal. It's not a fast road (50kph), nor was it a sharp turn. I know it probably won't hold up in court so no point in trying to fight it, but it just seems like a petty thing to do. First bad experience I've had with CPS and I've been pulled over dozens of times

[ShermanEF9]

unfortunately more than likely just a jab. i wouldn't take it too personally, who knows what he had to deal with before you, so it may not be your fault (unfortunately you are paying for it in the end)

[msixty]

Why did he pull you over?

[Mista Bob]

If it can get you a ticket any other time, in front of a police officer that's already pulling you over probably isn't the best time to do it.

[craigcd]

If it can get you a ticket any other time, in front of a police officer that's already pulling you over probably isn't the best time to do it.

Agreed and in my experience they are hyper sensitive of bikes in general so anything they can nail you with, they will.

[ExtraSlow]

Dick move, yes, but still quite legit. You probably often don't indicate, at least that's what he's thinking.

[A790]

Use your signal. People in Calgary seem to have forgotten what it's for...

[Disoblige]

What may be obvious to you might not be for others. It's a good habit not to think like that.

[rx7boi]

I figured it would be pretty obvious that I'd be pulling off to the right after being lit up, so I really don't see any safety hazard in not using the signal.

I figured it would be pretty obvious if someone is getting pulled over and they still don't use signals like they're supposed to, that says more about the rider than it does the cop.

Is it a BMW that you ride?

[bjstare]

Maybe the cop was being a dick, but if there's any time I want to make sure and not forget my signal, it's while a cop has 100% of his attention focused on me and is likely already pissed about something else that I did.

This ticket was well earned haha.

[revelations]

First bad experience I've had with CPS and I've been pulled over dozens of times

I've lived in Calgary for >10 years, with a litre crotch rocket, and have NEVER been pulled over. I would suggest adjusting your riding (pick your spots better) as sooner or later you’ll lose your license if you keep this up.

[MR2-3SGTE]

Why did he pull you over?

Lack of license plate light.


Dick move, yes, but still quite legit. You probably often don't indicate, at least that's what he's thinking.

Makes sense, but he was watching me for a bit before pulling me over, and definitely had seen me use my signal multiple times, otherwise he would've cited me for those as well


I figured it would be pretty obvious if someone is getting pulled over and they still don't use signals like they're supposed to, that says more about the rider than it does the cop.

Is it a BMW that you ride?

easey dude, seems you're more offended than even the cop. I use my signals when I need to inform others around me, not when it's redundant (ie., turning only lane, or changing lanes on an empty roadway)
I don't own a BMW, but don't believe the bikes have the same reputation as the car counterparts.

[rx7boi]

easey dude, seems you're more offended than even the cop. I use my signals when I need to inform others around me, not when it's redundant (ie., turning only lane, or changing lanes on an empty roadway)

Oh yes, I am very offended for troubles that aren't mine. :rofl: :rofl:

Like everyone else said, is it a dick move that he gave you an extra ticket? Sure.

Hindsight is 20/20 but would the ticket have been avoidable? Sure, but maybe not for you since you seem content to rationalize what would come obviously to other drivers/riders.

Perhaps your habits caught up with you if you didn't think it was necessary to use your signals when turning into a side street just because 1) he was following you for a while and saw you use your signals before and 2) you turned around and made :love: eye contact with him.

See below for what Disoblige said.


What may be obvious to you might not be for others. It's a good habit not to think like that.

Either way, if he initially pulled you over for a license plate light and you ended up walking away with 2 tickets, you can chalk it up to him having a shitty day if you want. There are tons of Beyond stories where members drive like total buffoons and get off scot-free or get pulled over, put on their best Sunday smile and still get treated like shit by CPS.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

I always use my signals, even if I'm riding on an empty road. It 100% builds muscle memory. The only time I've ever been pulled over on my bike, was because the person I was escorting got pulled over for shitty license plate mounting. I've never once been pulled over, received a warning, or anything similar on my bike.

[MR2-3SGTE]

I didn't think it was necessary because he was already expecting me to turn (after pulling me over, he told me he knew that I'd be turning). Do I think it's necessary for the purpose of pleasing the officer? Sure, I know that now and will do it in the future. But as a safety hazard, I just don't see it

[firebane]

I didn't think it was necessary because he was already expecting me to turn (after pulling me over, he told me he knew that I'd be turning). Do I think it's necessary for the purpose of pleasing the officer? Sure, I know that now and will do it in the future. But as a safety hazard, I just don't see it

What about possible traffic around you? They don't know what you are doing.

You need to ride with the mentality of always be seen and if he knew you had no plate light I am going to say it was dark or close.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Dick move but you should have signaled regardless (I assume while people are being pulled over they drive like they do on their driver's licence exam haha). He has a quota to fill, you were an easy target that day. I wouldn't read into it any more than that.

[MR2-3SGTE]

There was no other traffic on that entire street, going either direction . It was during the daytime, but he knew there was no light because the plate isn't mounted in the factory location so there is no light assembly above it. I do agree about always wanting to be seen on a motorcycle, but I don't see it applying to this situation. I suppose as others have said it's good to just get into the habit, but I've never failed to use an indicator when it was necessary (at least that I'm aware of)

- - - Updated - - -


Dick move but you should have signaled regardless (I assume while people are being pulled over they drive like they do on their driver's licence exam haha). He has a quota to fill, you were an easy target that day. I wouldn't read into it any more than that.

Agreed. I know I shouldn't overthink it.

[J-hop]

Maybe he thought you were snowcat?

[ExtraSlow]

but I've never failed to use an indicator when it was necessary (at least that I'm aware of).
So for quite a few of your turns and lane changes you don't think it's required?

[MR2-3SGTE]

Maybe he thought you were snowcat?
:D


So for quite a few of your turns and lane changes you don't think it's required?

By law, of course it is. Otherwise, no, I don't think it's required to signal on empty roadways. The reason it's still required by law is because it's far too complicated to implement laws on a situational basis, not because it's a safety hazard. That's why officers are at the discretion to cite tickets only where they feel it's necessary. Not just "the book says this so you must do this".

Anyway, that's just my opinion. I'm sure many will disagree

[mr2mike]

It was during the daytime, but he knew there was no light because the plate isn't mounted in the factory location so there is no light assembly above it.
Interesting, done a few of these kits for guys and they know there's no license plate light. One guy angled his plate up so it would be lit by the running light at dark. But obviously the cop knows these kits are without a LED plate light.

[MR2-3SGTE]

Interesting, done a few of these kits for guys and they know there's no license plate light. One guy angled his plate up so it would be lit by the running light at dark. But obviously the cop knows these kits are without a LED plate light.

Yea exactly, I've had one cop tell me he's ok if the rear running light (red) illuminates the plate. I think that most don't care because I don't get hassled much for it. But legally speaking, the plate needs to have its own separate white light. Anyway you can show a picture that it's fixed to the Crown and they'll toss the ticket out, so I'm not bothered by it. I'm ok with getting hassled once a year in place of having that giant fender over the rear wheel

[Perfect Dark]

:D



By law, of course it is. Otherwise, no, I don't think it's required to signal on empty roadways. The reason it's still required by law is because it's far too complicated to implement laws on a situational basis, not because it's a safety hazard. That's why officers are at the discretion to cite tickets only where they feel it's necessary. Not just "the book says this so you must do this".

Anyway, that's just my opinion. I'm sure many will disagree

As much as you think you are always 100% aware of what's going on around you the truth is you aren't. Signalling even when you think you are by yourself on the road is the easiest way to ensure that anyone you don't see knows what you are about to do.

[Kloubek]

Honestly, I think that's pretty anal considering a) He was already going to hit you with a ticket, and b) He was the one behind you and knew you were going to pull over.

Either you hit a cop on his bad/quota day, or he believed he had reason to be pissed off with you for other reasons not disclosed. GENERALLY, I imagine most cops would have let this go so something was up there...

[max_boost]

Cops are like refs lol try not to make the situation worse

[Kloubek]

Maybe he thought you were snowcat?

Perhaps. But it should have become quickly apparent when he walked up to the bike and the rider wasn't spewing out all sorts of idiotic stuff that it wasn't actually him.

[tonytiger55]

Back in the UK I used to date this girl. She was friggen hot. Like off the scale hot, she was type to bring home to meet your mum kind. :nut:
Anyways when I used to ask her something or if I wanted her to do something, she would look at me with big soft Disney princess eyes and softy blink in a sweet way. The problem was… I had no fucking idea what she was thinking. It was like she wanted me to read her mind.
On one occasion I got fed up as I just could not read her. So I said to her wait a sec whilst I get my mind reading goggles.
Seriously I had no fucking idea what she wanted me to think. I asked her several times, just ‘TELL ME!’.
But no.. she kept blinking at me with her sweet big Disney princess eyes… I still had no fucking idea.

79854

Anyways, going back to your question. I would say your over reacting.
You did not use your indicators to indicate to the police officer that you would be intending to turn, so he had no idea what you would be turning as you did not indicate using your indicators as set out the road traffic act or whatever the equivalent is called here.


I guess moral of the story is, don’t give the police officer Disney Princess eyes. :dunno:
Sorry don't mean to troll but, I needed the afternoon Lolz at work.. :);)

*sigh* Im going to go and make some tea..

79855

[Sugarphreak]

...

[MR2-3SGTE]

I am the same, I even shoulder check on empty roads these days, haha

Shoulder checking is far more important than indicator lights though. Especially on an empty road, because that's where you'd least expect someone to be in your blind spot

[ExtraSlow]

I don't know, maybe just get into the habit and do all those pesky things every time? It shouldn't need to be some especially dangerous situation before you use your indicators or follow other rules of the road.

[MR2-3SGTE]

As much as you think you are always 100% aware of what's going on around you the truth is you aren't. Signalling even when you think you are by yourself on the road is the easiest way to ensure that anyone you don't see knows what you are about to do.

Idk, I'd have to disagree with that. I don't see how it's possible to not see another vehicle if you check your mirrors and shoulder check. It's virtually impossible, unless you're driving an 18 wheeler or something. Especially on a motorcycle, where I can turn my whole body around for a full 360 view. Although I said indicators aren't always required, I do feel that shoulder and mirror checks are, which would eliminate any chance of error

[Xtrema]

End of month quota is up. :D

That said, should have signaled, he may think you are bolting on that turn since the original ticket was about not able to read your plate.

You got him all worked up.

[Tik-Tok]

The proper manner to behave while being pulled over...

https://youtu.be/BwDlobymMk0?t=60 (https://youtu.be/BwDlobymMk0?t=63)

[MR2-3SGTE]

End of month quota is up. :D

That said, should have signaled, he may think you are bolting on that turn since the original ticket was about not able to read your plate.

You got him all worked up.

Ah, didn't even take that into consideration. I remember back when I had sportbikes, cops used to thank me for pulling over and not bolting haha, didn't realize it was such a common thing to happen

[speedog]

Not much to see here, just another "it's all about me" thread.

[rx7boi]

I won't pretend that signalling is all or nothing. I couldn't be bothered to use em if I was in backwater country leaving a buddy's cabin out in Water Valley. It's always a risk so it's better to use them rather than justify why you don't after getting nailed like a numpty.

Habits like these typically evolve over time and never for the better.

First you think it's redundant and not necessary because you're alone. Then you think it's not necessary if he's 1km behind you. Then you think it's not necessary because of X reason.

You rationalized your own rules of the road and made things worse for yourself but I think the prize winner here is that in the future, you think it's more about pandering to 5-0 as opposed to doing everything by the book when getting pulled over :rofl:

[Perfect Dark]

Idk, I'd have to disagree with that. I don't see how it's possible to not see another vehicle if you check your mirrors and shoulder check. It's virtually impossible, unless you're driving an 18 wheeler or something. Especially on a motorcycle, where I can turn my whole body around for a full 360 view. Although I said indicators aren't always required, I do feel that shoulder and mirror checks are, which would eliminate any chance of error

You can disagree all you want but in the end you're a human being that's capable of making a mistake. If the stars align and you happen to make one of those mistakes while not signalling and someone you haven't seen smokes you then what? I ride too so I know what you're saying but why not take the fraction on an ounce of effort and flick on your signal light.

And c'mon, the ONE time you should be signalling is when a cop is already in the process of going in hard without lube haha.

[A790]

I don't even understand how you can argue the point that you didn't need to use an indicator. It's not for you, it's for EVERYONE ELSE.

Assumptions cause accidents. Never assume. You never know who is in front, behind, beside, or otherwise around you.

Use your damn signal.

[eblend]

Unless you drive a BMW, should always signal. I signal on empty roads, just something you do when turning or changing lanes. My biggest pet peeve is fucking idiots who intend to turn, and you can't proceed because you think they are going straight...and then they turn. Like fuck, it's not all about you, it's to let others know wtf your intentions are. Sorry OP, no sympathy for you. Cops prolly figured you never bother with turn signals.

BMW drives get a special exception, turn signals don't come standard on those cars and are an extra option. Just extra weight to slow down the ultimate driving machine...

[jwslam]

Go to court and fight it. Tell them that the officer wrote you up for the wrong infraction. He should have written you up for "Opted not to indicate", not a "failure".

[MR2-3SGTE]

.

First you think it's redundant and not necessary because you're alone. Then you think it's not necessary if he's 1km behind you. Then you think it's not necessary because of X reason.

You rationalized your own rules of the road and made things worse for yourself but I think the prize winner here is that in the future, you think it's more about pandering to 5-0 as opposed to doing everything by the book when getting pulled over :rofl:

I understand what you're saying about using it "just in case", for those that feel they might absent-mindedly forget about it in the future or build bad habits. Not arguing with that. My reason for not putting was the same throughout this thread, because it's redundant. The reasons for which it is redundant, could have multiple scenario's. I didn't make this thread to argue that point, I was simply asking if it's normal for a cop to do what he did, and I've already got my answer to that. Any farther post is off-topic.
Is "doing everything by the book when getting pulled over" any different than "pandering to the cop"? I don't see the difference.


You can disagree all you want but in the end you're a human being that's capable of making a mistake. If the stars align and you happen to make one of those mistakes while not signalling and someone you haven't seen smokes you then what? I ride too so I know what you're saying but why not take the fraction on an ounce of effort and flick on your signal light.

And c'mon, the ONE time you should be signalling is when a cop is already in the process of going in hard without lube haha.

I get what you're saying, and agree, but I feel those "just in case" checks apply a lot more to shoulder and mirror checks than they do to indicator lights. I also find it unlikely that an indicator light would save me from getting smoked during a lane change. Contrary to what many believe, indicating does not mean everyone around has to yield to your turn, it's still always your own responsibility to change lanes when it's clear. Definitely will sway towards the precautionary side when getting pulled over in the future though!


I don't even understand how you can argue the point that you didn't need to use an indicator. It's not for you, it's for EVERYONE ELSE.

Assumptions cause accidents. Never assume. You never know who is in front, behind, beside, or otherwise around you.

Use your damn signal.

I'm going to assume you haven't read anything in this thread other than the title, so I won't bother responding.



Go to court and fight it. Tell them that the officer wrote you up for the wrong infraction. He should have written you up for "Opted not to indicate", not a "failure".

"failure" and "opted not to" mean exactly the same thing. Unless you're implying that opting not to indicate is any worse than forgetting to indicate.

[lilmira]

He fails to signal for sarcasm. 1 demerit.